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Douglas's Triumph and Their Regret Chapter 16
Nelson stopped to inspect the work his subordinates had completed under his meticulous instructions. The previously cold and unwelcoming cell now bore the semblance of a modest, yet cosy, bedroom. The curtains hanging over the iron bars lent a softer, almost domestic feel to the room, masking the stark reality that this was still a prison.However, Nelson remained unsatisfied as he noticed the bed prepared for Douglas.It was a thin mattress on top a creaky frame, and this bothered him. How could someone like Douglas, a man who had done so much for PortVarter State, be subjected to such discomfort? Nelson turned to one of his subordinates.“Go find a more comfortable bed,” he ordered.“Something proper. And tell the others to keep the door unlocked at all times. Mr. Garnett is not just any prisoner.”Without hesitation, the officer nodded and left without a word. The team under Nelson’s command had learned to obey orders without questioning them. Though whispers about the VIP tr
Douglas's Triumph and Their Regret Chapter 17
Learning that Governor Clarke remained adamant about pursuing a marriage alliance with the Drakes, and placing Marvin in control of PortVarter, pushed Nelson to the edge of his patience.Nelson cursed under his breath as he stubbed out yet another cigarette in the overflowing ashtray beside him. “Idiots,” he muttered. “All of them. They’re playing with fire, and PortVarter will burn because of their arrogance.”Nelson’s fists clenched as he thought about Marvin’s smugness and Linda’s scheming.Compared to Douglas, Marvin was no doubt a joke!Unable to sleep, Nelson tossed and turned on his bed, chain-smoking and wrestling with the despair that gripped him. The next morning, Marvin emerged from Linda’s room, looking refreshed and self-satisfied. He wore a smug grin as he descended the grand staircase.Downstairs, Stewart had arranged for breakfast to be ready for him. A lavish spread of milk, bread, eggs, and fruit awaited Marvin at the dining table. Stewart greeted him warmly, e
Douglas's Triumph and Their Regret Chapter 18
"I’m telling you, Marvin," Stewart continued, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Humiliating that fool and exposing his so-called crimes is the perfect way to cement your authority in PortVarter. It will show everyone that you’re not just capable but ruthless when it comes to maintaining order...""And let’s be honest..." he added with a sneer, "Douglas deserves every bit of it."Marvin allowed himself a sly smile, intrigued by Stewart’s enthusiasm. "Go on," he said.Stewart leaned closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a state secret. "That fool owns several properties in Exquisite Garden—PortVarter's most luxurious neighbourhood. I've done some digging, and word has it those houses aren’t just investments. They’re for his mistresses."Marvin raised an eyebrow. "Mistresses? Are you certain?""Positive," Stewart replied. "Think about it. An exaggerated hero like that fool cannot buy properties in a place like that without ulterior motives. It’s not like he’s running a charity
Douglas's Triumph and Their Regret Chapter 19
Meanwhile, in stark contrast to Stewart and Marvin's view of Douglas, he woke up in his prison cell to the sound of polite knocking. When he sat up, a young officer entered, carrying a basin of warm water and a soft towel. “Good morning, Mr. Garnett,” the officer said respectfully. “Chief Nelson arranged for these. Please take your time.” Douglas nodded, his calm demeanor unshaken by the peculiar hospitality. After washing up, he folded the towel neatly and placed it back on the basin. Moments later, another officer appeared, inviting him to breakfast. The dining hall was nothing short of a spectacle. A lavish spread covered the long table, with dishes that seemed more fitting for a five-star hotel than a prison. French toast and butter, Parisian ham, creamy cheeses, freshly squeezed juice, steaming coffee, fried eggs and sausages, black pudding, and other mouthwatering delights adorned the table. Standing by the table were Chief Nelson and a chef in pristine w
Douglas's Triumph and Their Regret Chapter 20
“What?! H—How ... is that possible?”Nelson stammered, his tongue feeling limp.Douglas’s confession had been calm, almost casual, but it left Nelson stunned.Douglas, however, remained unbothered. ---What most people didn’t know was that the women and families living in the homes he had provided were not simple at all. These people were the surviving relatives of soldiers, undercover journalists, high-level scientists, volunteers, and other high-risk workers who had made monumental contributions to the peace and progress of PortVarter State!Many of these individuals had perished in ambushes, assassinations, terrorist attacks, or battles against evil forces threatening the state. Douglas had personally purchased the properties for these families, never once using state funds, and had ensured they were provided with a stable home life. Furthermore, he took it upon himself to fund the education of the children left behind, guaranteeing they had access to quality schooling and a pe
Douglas's Triumph and Their Regret Chapter 21
“Dozens of properties,” Marvin continued, his voice dripping with disdain. “How does a public servant afford such wealth? And these transactions—thousands, sometimes tens of thousands of dollars transferred to various women. What other conclusion can we draw but that he was embezzling state funds to maintain a life of luxury and immorality?”Marvin paused for dramatic effect, glancing around the room to gauge the reactions.Nelson clenched his jaw, his fists tightening under the table. He knew Marvin was playing to the crowd, twisting the facts to serve his own agenda. Lieutenant Governor Mason, too, looked unconvinced.“This is absurd,” one of the officers whispered to another.“Douglas Garnett has dedicated his life to this state. He’s risked his life during natural disasters, personally led relief efforts, and sacrificed his own well-being for the people. So how could he be involved in these crimes?”Marvin could read through some of the officers, so he feigned sorrow and sh
Douglas's Triumph and Their Regret Chapter 22
The group fell silent, each person processing Marvin’s words. The opulence of Exquisite Garden contrasted sharply with their perception of Douglas as a selfless leader.Marvin led the group through the community, pointing out various properties he claimed belonged to Douglas. He spoke with righteous indignation, painting Douglas as a fraud who had betrayed the trust of PortVarter’s citizens.“Can you see how he’s been living a double life?” Marvin declared. “...lining his pockets and enjoying the high life.”The mid and senior-level officers exchanged uneasy glances. While some were swayed by Marvin’s words, others couldn’t reconcile his accusations with their experiences of Douglas’s character.“Do we know for sure these properties belong to him?” one officer finally asked.Marvin smirked. “The records don’t lie. If you want proof, I’ll provide it.""Now, see this paradise? A sanctuary for his so-called women. The so-called saviour of PortVarter has turned out to be its great
Douglas's Triumph and Their Regret Chapter 23
“Marvin,” Stewart began with a note of glee, “I assume you’re ready to unveil the truth.”“Yes, sir,” Marvin replied, his voice thick with self-importance.“We’re about to begin the investigation.”Stewart muted his conference briefly to address Marvin. “Perfect. I’ll stream this to the other governors."Unmuting, Stewart addressed the room of governors. “Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for interrupting our discussion, but we have a pressing matter. You’ve all heard rumours about Douglas and his corruption. Marvin Drakes is about to expose the full extent of his crimes.”The governors leaned closer to their screens, their faces a mix of shock and intrigue.Stewart continued, layering his words with disdain for Douglas. “This man, who once posed as a beacon of integrity, used billions in stolen funds to buy properties in this very community. He used these homes to maintain a harem of over a hundred women, including underage girls. His actions are an affront to decency and just
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Chapter 43
The lid finally came off, revealing... stacks of envelopes. Marvin, though initially caught off guard, quickly dismissed the confusion with a smirk."So that's it," he muttered to himself. "That criminal, Douglas, must have had some bizarre habit of storing cash inside envelopes. What a ridiculous way to hoard money!"The thought irritated him. Marvin could almost imagine Douglas reveling in this peculiar preference, stuffing envelopes with bills as some sort of ritual. It was laughable. "What kind of fool goes to such lengths just to satisfy an odd obsession?" he sneered inwardly.Determined to expose the hidden fortune, Marvin turned to the nearest bank employee."Open one of the envelopes," he ordered. "Let's see exactly how much cash the criminal has been hiding."The employee hesitated momentarily but complied. Carefully, he slit open the top of the envelope, his fingers trembling slightly as he pulled out its contents. His eyes widened as he unfolded a single sheet of
Chapter 42
After ending the call with the bank's representatives, Marvin held his phone high to video-call Stewart. His face was flushed with excitement as he panned the camera across the rows of stacked boxes. The sheer number of them was breathtaking, even to him, and he couldn’t wait to see Stewart’s reaction. “Governor Clarke, look at this!” Marvin exclaimed, his voice trembling with enthusiasm. “It’s all here. Dozens of rows, each filled to the brim with what I believe are that criminal’s dirty millions!” On the other end of the line, Stewart leaned closer to his screen, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “Incredible! Marvin, this could be the biggest embezzlement case in the history of PortVarter. That bastard, Douglas, is finished!” Stewart paused, as if struck by an idea. “Listen, Marvin. Record a proper video of the entire warehouse—every single row and box—and send it to me. We need to document everything. This is evidence that could shake the country.” Marvin nodded, eage
Chapter 41
Soon, Marvin and the officials arrived at the most prestigious estate within Exquisite Garden.The lush greenery, meticulously maintained gardens, and opulent mansions lining the streets exuded an aura of wealth and privilege. This upscale area was known to admit only the crème de la crème of PortVarter’s elite, making it a dream far beyond the reach of ordinary citizens!As the group moved through the estate, their admiration for Douglas's real estate holdings was palpable, though many tried to mask it.The villas and warehouses Marvin had described earlier were architectural masterpieces!One of the officials murmured, “Each of these properties is worth more than what an average person could ever earn in a lifetime!”Smirking, Marvin gestured to one of the towering villas they passed. “The man some of you refer to as a 'hero' must have been very comfortable here, living among PortVarter’s elite while the rest of the state struggled to make ends meet. Can you imagine the audacity?
Chapter 40
“Marvin, are you absolutely sure about this?” Stewart asked, his tone sharp. “We can’t afford another mistake. The last time you convinced me to act, we humiliated ourselves. The fallout was immense!”Marvin, seated across from him, leaned forward confidently, his hands clasped on the desk. “Governor Clarke, I understand your hesitation, but this time is different. I’ve done my homework. Everything checks out.”Stewart stopped pacing and fixed Marvin with a skeptical glare. “You’ve done your homework? That’s what you said last time. And what did we find? Nothing. Just baseless accusations that backfired and gave Douglas more sympathy than ever before.”Marvin didn’t flinch. Instead, he smiled faintly, as if Stewart’s words rolled off him like water. “Governor Clarke, listen to me. I’ve been observing the other properties that fool owns in Exquisite Garden. These are no ordinary houses. They’re multimillion-dollar villas and warehouses—vast spaces with hardly anyone living there.
Chapter 39
Marvin’s mind raced as he pored over the documents detailing Douglas’s extraordinary financial transfers to the widows and orphans. Something didn’t add up!How could one man, no matter how resourceful, consistently fund over $3.596 billion annually without tapping into questionable sources? Then it struck him like a bolt of lightning: Douglas must have hidden money somewhere—money obtained through illegitimate means.Determined to uncover the truth, Marvin decided to launch an immediate investigation into Douglas’s financial dealings. If he could expose Douglas as corrupt, it would justify the arrest and solidify Stewart’s authority while bolstering his own reputation!Marvin knew he had to act quickly. The news of Douglas’s imprisonment was already spreading, and it was only a matter of time before someone influential stepped forward to defend him.Marvin leaned back in his chair with a determined glint in his eyes. “I’ll find the evidence,” he muttered. “That bastard won’t be
Chapter 38
Marvin stared at the documents in disbelief, his eyes darting from one line to the next as he tried to process the astronomical figures.Each widow and orphan’s daily expenses amounted to $5000, with monthly living costs totaling $150,000! On top of that, the annual tuition fees for each child ranged from $5,000,000 to $20,000,000, depending on the institution. Marvin couldn’t fathom the numbers—especially considering the potential expenses for families with multiple children.“This has to be some kind of joke,” Marvin growled, his face flushed with anger. “This is not just unreasonable—it’s extortion!”Unable to contain his frustration, Marvin slammed the stack of documents onto the table. The sharp sound echoed in the quiet office, causing Stewart to flinch slightly.“I’m not even sure how that fool managed to pull this off,” Marvin continued, pacing the room. “It’s no wonder the fool was so beloved. He was practically throwing money at them!”Stewart, still seated, furrowed hi
Chapter 37
Phileo’s hand trembled as the bottle he was holding slipped from his grasp, shattering on the floor. The sharp scent of liquor filled the room as the liquid spread across the polished surface.His crimson eyes darted to Nath, who stood wide-eyed, clutching a stack of newspapers.“Douglas Garnett... in prison?” Phileo’s voice wavered with disbelief thick in his tone. “This must be some kind of April Fool’s joke, right?”“No joke, boss,” Nath insisted, shaking his head. “It’s all over the city. Everyone’s talking about it.”Phileo’s brows furrowed as he paced the room with his footsteps squelching against the spilled liquor. “This doesn’t add up. How could Douglas Garnett be arrested and imprisoned?He’s too smart, too strategic. What if this is a trap?”Nath frowned.“A trap?”“Yes, a trap!” Phileo barked, his voice rising.“What if that stroke of misfortune leaked this news on purpose to see who would crawl out of the shadows? He’s done it before, luring people like me into thin
Chapter 36
Chief Nelson's suggestion to release Douglas hung in the air like an unspoken challenge. Marvin's face flushed red with anger."Just because Douglas isn't involved with women doesn’t mean he’s innocent in everything else!" Marvin spat, his voice tinged with fury."There’s still the matter of bribery, embezzlement, and misappropriation of public funds. Or do you all think those houses and benefits for widows and orphans came out of thin air?"Marvin’s sudden outburst stunned the room into silence. The officials exchanged uneasy glances, unsure whether to challenge Marvin's assertion or remain quiet. Without waiting for anyone to respond, Marvin turned on his heel and stormed out.The remaining officials stared at one another in disbelief. “This is absurd,” one muttered under his breath. “That man, Mr Drake, is grasping at straws.”Another sighed heavily. “And dragging all of us down with him. How can we expect a man like that to lead us effectively?”Chief Nelson, seated at the
Chapter 35
“He’s innocent, always treated us with kindness, and has been nothing but an exemplary leader. Why would you want to destroy someone who has done so much good?” The woman continued.Marvin’s frustration flared. He felt these people were too naive to reason with. To him, they were blinded by their dependence on Douglas and incapable of understanding the complexities of power. He took a deep breath, trying to maintain his composure, but his irritation seeped into his tone.“That criminal you call a hero is guilty!” he declared firmly. “The evidence is clear. Even if he hasn’t kept mistresses, he’s involved in bribery, embezzlement, and misappropriation of public funds. How else do you think he managed to build these houses and support all of you? It’s obvious he used public money, and for that, he must be punished!”The moment Marvin finished speaking, the women and children burst into tears once more. Their cries filled the air, echoing their despair and belief that Douglas was
